title: Trends in health-related quality of life among adolescents in the United States, 2001-2010.
abstract: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures are often used to track changes in population health, mostly among adults. Prompted by the recent US recession, we assessed trends in adolescent HRQOL by using cross-sectional data from the 2001-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Adolescents' self-rated health and reported mental health declined significantly, especially among those in low-income families, but their physical health and activity limitation did not change. Because these HRQOL declines occurred at the end of the decade and especially among adolescents from low-income families, we conclude that these declines are consistent with recession effects and warrant further study.
authors.affiliation: Division of Population Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. wtd9@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Wanjun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Matthew M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Zack
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D057172:Economic Recession; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D011788:Quality of Life; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology